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Why do I need a registered office address for my Limited Company?

Wednesday 22 July, 2015

When incorporating your business in to a limited company one of the many questions your accountant will ask you will revolve around the companies registered office. However have they ever explained why it is so important and why you should think about the address with great care so as to protect yourself?

The registered office address is required for Limited Companies and LLPs (Limited Liability Partnerships) who have been incorporated in the UK. This is a legal requirement that allows both Companies House and HM Revenue & Customs to issue statutory correspondence and legal documents to a physical address. The registered office is required to be in the same part of the UK in which the Limited Company or LLP was initially registered i.e. England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Although some businesses elect to use a residential address a non-residential address is preferable as it is more private.

Although many company directors choose to use their residential address as the registered office address, is this a viable option?

The registered office address is public information, and as a result you may find that you receive a large amount of what can only be described as junk mail arriving along with the occasional unwanted visitor.

A residential address can imply that the business is of a small concern, and therefore not as professional as a business with a more prestigious address.

The registered office address allows you to imply that you are a well-established business.

Maybe the most important factor for the director or partner is that a line has been drawn between their working day and their personal time with friends and family.

So what address should you use? As I mentioned above it is not necessarily a good idea to use your residential address, so what options do you have? The post office provide PO Box numbers for a fee, however these are not accepted by Companies House unless you provide them with a physical address (would that be your residential address?)

If you choose to use your residential address you may require approval if you rent the property from the council or private landlord although this is unlikely to be denied, there could be possible restrictions depending on the nature of your business.

There are several documents that are required to be kept at the registered office, these include the certificate of incorporation, the memorandum of articles and association together with share certificates.

The registered office address must be displayed on all letterheads brochures and websites and a sign must be visible at the registered office address unless this is residential or the company is dormant.

If you would like to discuss the options that TAX MATTERS can offer you in respect of your registered office address, please give us a call we would be delighted to speak with you.